Residential investment property mortgages for individual landlords and portfolio investors, with products tailored to your investment strategy. Our Rotherham-based service connects you with specialist lenders who understand the South Yorkshire property market.
Buy-to-let mortgages are designed specifically for residential properties purchased to generate rental income. Unlike residential mortgages for owner-occupation, buy-to-let lending is assessed primarily on the rental income the property generates rather than your personal income, making them ideal for building a property investment portfolio.
Our buy-to-let solutions span the full range of investment scenarios, from first-time landlords purchasing a single property to experienced portfolio landlords with dozens of properties. We work with a comprehensive panel of lenders including high street banks, specialist buy-to-let lenders, and portfolio-focused providers who can handle complex situations that mainstream lenders decline.
Whether you're investing in standard residential properties, student accommodation, multi-unit blocks, or ex-local authority properties, we can access suitable products. Our expertise extends to limited company buy-to-let mortgages, portfolio refinancing, rate switches, and expansion finance - essentially any scenario where rental property is your investment vehicle.
Most buy-to-let lenders require rental income to be 125-145% of the mortgage payment, calculated at a notional interest rate (typically 5.5-6%). This is called rental coverage or interest coverage ratio. For example, if your mortgage payment at the stress rate is £1,000, you'd need monthly rent of £1,250-£1,450. Portfolio landlords and higher rate taxpayers often face higher coverage requirements (up to 145%).
This depends on your tax position. Since 2017, tax relief on mortgage interest has been restricted for personal landlords, making limited company ownership more tax-efficient for higher rate taxpayers. However, limited company mortgages often have slightly higher rates and fees. For basic rate taxpayers or those with only 1-2 properties, personal ownership may be simpler. We recommend speaking with an accountant about your specific situation.
Yes, many lenders offer products for first-time landlords. You'll typically need a larger deposit (usually 25% minimum) and may face slightly higher rates. Some lenders also cap the property value or number of properties they'll finance for inexperienced landlords. Having homeowner experience and a strong credit history helps significantly. Certain property types (ex-council, studio flats) may be restricted for novice landlords.
The PRA defines a portfolio landlord as someone with four or more mortgaged buy-to-let properties. Portfolio landlords face additional underwriting scrutiny, with lenders assessing your entire property portfolio, not just the individual application. You may need to provide full portfolio details, rental income evidence, and stress testing across all properties. However, specialist portfolio lenders offer better service and more flexibility for experienced investors.